PITTSBURGH, PA – September 11, 2025 − Today, PRT requested permission from Governor Shapiro and PENNDOT to use infrastructure dollars for operating expenses. This follows the Governor’s approval of SEPTA’s request for temporary operational support using state funds that are typically reserved for capital expenses that fund the purchase and maintenance of transit vehicles and infrastructure that provides for safety and efficiency on Monday.
This move will avert a planned 35% service reduction and 9% fare hikes which would have taken place in early 2026.
Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement:
“Once again, the inaction of the Senate Republicans has forced the second largest transit system in Pennsylvania to reallocate funding from their capital fund to their operating fund. I am glad that Governor Shapiro, PennDOT, and PRT are taking the steps to ensure transit riders maintain reliable, affordable service. Still, I am extremely frustrated that Senate Republicans refuse to do their part to deliver a sustainable source of funding for our essential public transit systems. Transit powers our regional economy by getting people to work, kids to school, seniors to doctors’ appointment, and tourists to our attractions. We need the state to do its part to provide funding to keep these services available. While PRT riders can breathe a sigh of relief, Senate Democrats remain on the frontlines of the fight for a long-term revenue stream for our buses, trains, roads, and bridges.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – September 10, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces $3,556,350 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) benefitting the 43rd district, encompassing parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. These dollars come from the Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funds.
“It’s a solemn honor to announce funding to support and make whole victims of crime in Western Pennsylvania and demonstrate that there is help and hope for those picking up the pieces after an act of violence,” said Senator Costa. “All of us deserve to live in safe, vibrant neighborhoods with ample programming, support, and resources to serve those in need. And with PCCD’s continued investment in local, effective safety solutions, I am confident these dollars will prove fruitful in the 43rd district.”
Awardees are as follows:
- The Center for Victims was awarded $1,318,088.
- Pittsburgh Action Against Rape was awarded $1,033,593 for services to sexual assault and trafficked victims.
- Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh was awarded $1,204,669 for maintaining comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to safe communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – September 8, 2025 – Today, Governor Shapiro and PennDOT approved SEPTA’s request for temporary operational support using state funds that are typically reserved for capital expenses that fund the purchase and maintenance of transit vehicles and infrastructure that provides for safety and efficiency.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, on behalf of the Senate Democrats, provides the following statement:
“Senate Democrats commend Governor Shapiro and Secretary Carroll for taking the leadership and making the hard decision to provide SEPTA badly needed funding to avoid continuing the dramatic service reductions that we’ve seen over the last few weeks.
“We, along with the Governor and the House Democrats, have been trying to negotiate a solution to the transit crisis over the last three years, and in particular, the last 6 months. The Senate Republicans are indifferent, even hostile, to the needs of our cities.
“The Senate Republicans have proven over the last two years that they are not willing to agree to a permanent and sustainable solution to support our transit systems statewide. The House of Representatives has passed five plans on a bipartisan basis that would have reasonably met the needs of our transit systems across the entire state, covering Republican and Democratic districts alike.
“So today, the Governor and PennDOT took the last, worst step that was available and accepted SEPTA’s request to access capital funds intended to provide for safe and efficient transportation service and to divert them for operational needs to restore the transit service that Philadelphia runs on. This is not ideal, but is necessary, and we applaud the Shapiro Administration for taking this bold action.
“We will be back at this again in the near future. This action is a temporary solution. We hope that we will not be back again next year fending off avoidable service reductions and more pain for the citizens. We remain dedicated to finding a permanent and sustainable source of state operating support for SEPTA, PRT and all transit agencies throughout our 67 counties that allows people to get to work, school and leisure and keeps our Commonwealth’s economy going.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – The PA Broadband Development Authority met on Friday, August 22, at 10 a.m. to award grants from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
These grants will generate over $1.3 Billion in infrastructure spending that will create jobs, fuel economic growth, and provide broadband to the 130,000 Pennsylvania homes and businesses that currently lack service. More information on the program can be found here.
“In our modern hyperconnected world, access to the internet is a critical lifeline, allowing people to access knowledge, news, support, and so much more,” said Senator Costa. “I am so proud to be announcing funding that will connect workers with jobs, families with relatives, and learners to the wide world of information. I look forward to these dollars going to good use in our communities.”
In the 43rd Senatorial District, the following grant was awarded:
Broadband Providers: Comcast
Location: Portions of SD 43
Amount of Grant: $440,132
Type of technology: Hybrid Fiber
Additional information about this round of BEAD Awards is as follows:
- Number of unique awardees: 21
- Total amount of BEAD Grant dollars recommended for award: $793,494,747
- Total amount of Private Sector match to BEAD Grant dollars: $650 million in private sector match. Far exceeds 25% minimum match requirement. Why? Companies wanted to be competitive. Private Companies are providing a cumulative 80% match to the BEAD grant dollars.
- Total Number of BSL’s served: 130,000.
- Technology Type:
- Fiber Projects (Best, most reliable and scalable) = 14
- Fixed Wireless = 3
- Partial Fiber Projects = 2
- Satellite = 2
All projects remain subject to NTIA approval and acceptance by the applicants. Adjustments may be required during NTIA’s review of the Final Proposal, and applicants may also choose not to move forward with certain projects or project areas. In such cases, selections may shift to the next-ranked applicant/project. As a result, provisional selections—and the overall BEAD spend—are subject to change.
Learn about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, the House Rules Committee and the House Appropriations Committee voted down HB 257 and SB 160, respectively. Passed in the Senate yesterday evening, these bills represented unserious and unagreed-to budget proposals that were roundly condemned by the House Majority Caucus and Governor Shapiro.
Senators Costa and Hughes spoke forcefully against this exercise in futility yesterday, and all Senate Democrats voted against both bills.
In keeping with their calls to finish and pass a successful 2025-26 budget, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes release the following statement:
“Today, the House of Representatives stayed true to its word and quickly voted down the Senate Republicans’ absurd budget and transit proposals. The Senate Democratic Caucus has said time and again that all 23 of us are ready to vote yes on a permanent, sustainable funding solution for Pennsylvania’s public transit systems and transportation infrastructure, and a budget that meaningfully delivers education, healthcare, and jobs for every Pennsylvanian. We continue to urge our Republican colleagues to negotiate with us in good faith and bring the 2025-26 budget process to a close. Now is the time to get this budget process done.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, the Senate of Pennsylvania convened for session. Instead of advancing bills to bring the 2025-26 budget process to a close and to fully fund public transit, roads, and bridges, Senate Republicans chose to advance HB 257, a bill that would provide two years of funding to Pennsylvania’s transit systems by ransacking capital funds designated to repair roads, track, and other infrastructure.
In response to this missed opportunity, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Democratic Appropriations Chair Vince Hughes offer the following statement:
“Today, Senate Republicans had the opportunity to move the ball forward and take real steps towards solving some of Pennsylvania’s biggest problems. Instead, we got ridiculous, unserious schemes that fail to meet the scale, scope, and urgency of the transit crisis facing our commonwealth.
“While real people are scrambling to make plans to get to work, school, appointments, and more as drastic cuts to transit services loom, Senate Republicans are proposing that we raid capital funds for a two-year transit fix that will put us in this exact same position two years from now. Further, their plan includes mandated fare increases that put transit out of reach for many riders who rely on buses and trains to navigate their communities.
“This last-minute strategy is not agreed to by the House Democratic Caucus or the Governor, and fails to provide a long-term solution to delivering transit systems that work for every Pennsylvanian.
“Now is the time to bring this budget process to a close and fully fund our transit systems, our roads, and our bridges through a permanent, sustainable mechanism. We stand ready. Now is the time.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
